Knicks-Cavs Game 4 brings huge NYPD presence outside of Radio City Music Hall for watch party

The New York Knicks play the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Police presence is being increased around Radio City Music Hall for a sold-out watch party. Officers are expected to disperse people throughout the area to prevent rowdy behavior. Knicks fans have created disruptive outside watch-party scenes during the playoffs, including arrests after Game 2. The NYPD previously stopped supporting outdoor watch parties near Madison Square Garden after crowds packed streets, blocked traffic, threw objects, and climbed subway entrances. NYC City Council Public Safety Chair Oswald Feliz said residents deserve to enjoy events safely and that police support is meant to prevent chaos. The NYPD will not support additional watch parties outside the stadium but will continue reviewing requests.

"“HUGE police presence outside of Radio City Music Hall for the Knicks Game 4 Watch Party, the pep talk included: 'If they win, it's gonna get rowdy,'” Williams wrote on X, alongside the video. “A cop told me that they are going be dispersed throughout the area. Tonight's event is sold out / at capacity at 6K fans...”"

"Since the playoffs have been successful for the Knicks, a lot of fans cannot contain their excitement and have created rowdy environments during outside watch parties. The rowdiness has had six people were arrested Thursday night (May 21) following Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, per NBC New York."

"The disruption from Knicks fans had the NYPD pull out of supporting outdoor watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden. However, the move was not appreciated by all involved. “New Yorkers deserve to be able to enjoy their city together with their friends and their family,” NYC City Council Public Safety Chair Oswald Feliz said Saturday (May 23). “They also pay taxes so that we could have a police department to help ensure that these events do not become chaotic.”"

"NYPD decided on bowing out of the support “after fans packed the streets Thursday night and blocked traffic, threw objects and climbed subway entrances,” according to NBC. While NYPD is drawing the line at Madison Square Garden watch parties they have made an alternate plan for Knicks fans. “The NYPD will not support more watch parties outside the stadium, but we will continue to review requests”"

Read at ClutchPoints